Partner Notification

Partner notification (PN) is a fundamental component of sexually transmitted infection (σTI) prevention and control programs in many state jurisdictions and may help prevent the spread of STIs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among individuals who engage in risky sexual behaviors outside the context of a monogamous relationship. Traditional PN uses three different strategies for notifying the sexual partners of patients infected with an STI or HIV: provider referral (notification of sexual partners via a third party, such as an individuals’ medical provider), partner referral (notification of sexual partners via the index patient), and contract referral (an agreement between the patient and provider, whereby the patient is given the opportunity to notify their sexual partners on their own, with the understanding that their partners will ...